Oh, deer: Fawns stop traffic in downtown Winnipeg

Three deer were walking down Portage Avenue in front of The Bay about 3 p.m. Wednesday with a police cruiser car in hot pursuit. The deer were heading westbound and turned south on Memorial Boulevard as police tried to escort the trio out of harm's way with flashing lights and siren blasts. (TOM BRODBECK/WINNIPEG SUN)

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Jim Bender, Winnipeg Sun

Jun 20, 2014

, Last Updated: 12:24 AM ET

Local cops were in pursuit of a different kind of animal on Wednesday.

Police were spotted attempting to chase three baby deer to safety in the heart of downtown. The deer were first seen walking in a school parking lot on Ellen Street, then made their way through the middle of traffic on downtown streets — including Portage Avenue — to the corner of York Avenue and Colony Street near The Bay.

“Yeah, we’ve got the deer on the run,” said police spokesman Cons. Eric Hofley, with a laugh. “I’ve seen deer in Winnipeg before but I’ve never quite seen them that downtown.”

Hofley said the city’s Animal Services Agency is usually called to help direct such wayward animals to safety.

As strange as the sight may have been to motorists, is really isn’t that rare to see wild deer downtown.